Pet Intel. & Emotional Well-being

21/06/2024

Luna & Whiskey were VERY happy with their mom winning the gift basket at the Ottawa Pet Expo! They received lots of goodies and online training from Intel. & Emotional Well-being , ZEN Dog - Nicole Lapratte CBCC-ka & Easy Breezy!

16/06/2024

Our industry is unregulated, learn to spot the difference between an ethical and educated canine behavior and training professional, and someone who is not.

Knowledge about dog behaviour is important. It's a no brainer. But why? 🤔

Well, understanding dog behaviour is crucial in effective dog training for several reasons. A deep knowledge of canine behaviour allows trainers & behaviourists to create effective, humane, and tailored training programmes. Here are the primary reasons why this knowledge is essential:

⚠️ Understanding Canine Communication.

Dogs communicate primarily through body language and vocalisations. A deep understanding of these communication methods helps to interpret what a dog is feeling or intending, which is crucial for effective training.

Body Language. Knowing the nuances of a dog’s body language, such as tail position, ear orientation, and posture, can indicate whether the dog is relaxed, anxious, or aggressive. For instance, a wagging tail doesn't always mean a dog is happy; the context and type of wag are important indicators of the dog's emotional state.

Vocalisations. Different barks, growls, and whines have distinct meanings. Recognising these sounds allows trainers to respond appropriately to a dog’s needs and emotions, facilitating better communication and training outcomes.

⚠️ Addressing Behavioural Issues.

Behavioural issues such as aggression, anxiety, and excessive barking can stem from various causes, including fear, territoriality, or past trauma. Understanding the root causes of these behaviours is essential for developing effective intervention strategies.

Anxiety. Recognising signs of anxiety and understanding its triggers (e.g., separation anxiety, noise phobia) helps in designing desensitisation and counterconditioning programmes to alleviate the dog’s stress.

⚠️ Understanding the importance and relevance of health and wellbeing vs behaviour.

Physical & mental health do impact dog behaviour more than people realise. Considering possible pain, discomfort, nutrition, appetite amount of physical activity and mental health is absolutely critical before any training can start.

⚠️ Implementing Positive Reinforcement Techniques.

A comprehensive knowledge of dog behaviour supports the use of positive reinforcement techniques, which are based on rewarding desired behaviours to encourage their repetition.

Timing and Consistency. Understanding the importance of immediate and consistent reinforcement helps trainers effectively shape and reinforce desired behaviours. This is critical as dogs learn best when there is a clear and immediate connection between their behaviour and the reward.

Motivation. Knowing what motivates a particular dog, whether it’s food, toys, or affection, allows trainers to tailor their approach to each dog’s preferences, making training more effective and engaging.

⚠️ Building Trust and Relationship.

Effective, kind and modern dog training is built on a foundation of trust between the dog and the trainer. Deep knowledge of dog behaviour helps in establishing this trust by ensuring that training methods are humane and respectful.

Avoiding Negative Methods. Understanding the detrimental effects of punishment and negative reinforcement encourages trainers to avoid these methods, which can damage the dog-trainer relationship and lead to fear or aggression.

Empathy and Respect. Recognising and respecting a dog’s individual temperament and limits fosters a positive training environment, enhancing the bond between the dog and the trainer.

⚠️ Customising Training Programs.

Dogs, like humans, have individual personalities and learning styles. Knowledge of dog behaviour enables trainers to customise training programmes to suit the specific needs and characteristics of each dog.

Breed-Specific Traits. Different breeds have distinct behavioural traits and predispositions. For example, herding breeds may require more mental stimulation, while scent hounds may need activities that engage their sense of smell.

Individual Differences. Beyond breed traits, individual dogs have unique personalities. Some may be more timid or excitable than others. Tailoring training to these individual differences ensures more effective and humane outcomes.

⚠️ Preventing and Managing Problem Behaviours

Understanding the natural behaviours of dogs helps in preventing and managing problem behaviours before they become ingrained.

Early Intervention. Recognising early signs of behavioural issues allows for timely intervention, preventing the escalation of undesirable behaviours.

Environmental Management: Knowledge of dog behaviour informs environmental management strategies, such as providing adequate exercise, mental stimulation, and safe spaces, which are critical for preventing behavioural problems.

06/06/2024

Very interesting information. 🤔

Updated information from the University of California study on the effects of spay/neutering.

https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/when-should-you-neuter-or-spay-your-dog

05/06/2024

25/05/2024

📣📣📣Don’t miss us this year at the Ottawa Pet Expo June 8 & 9! 🚨Our ‘Ask the Expert’ booth is always a huge hit and this year we have added a variety of affordable enrichment and educational products! 🐶🐶🐶🐶 We will be located directly across from Chilly Dogs Inc. who will be featuring JWalker Dog harness 2.0!!!

23/05/2024

Feeding time at the zoo! 🥕🍖🍎🥚🥔🥩🥦🍯🫐🫚🍠🐟🐓🐐
Behavior and nutrition go hand in hand, there is no doubt about it! We must be aware of what we are putting inside our dogs body. That is the fuel, the life force which can either help or hinder them.

Did you know that Pet Intel. now offers canine behavior nutrition and health support? Check out our website to book a session with Jess.

21/05/2024

Caution Ottawa locals:
It is sickening that this has even happened.

10/05/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/HWZxR9EzzdL7zMcX/?

Starting on August 1, all dogs entering the U.S. (including those that left the U.S. and are returning, and regardless of the country they are coming from) must be:
• healthy upon arrival
• at least 6 months of age
• microchipped
• accompanied by a CDC Dog Import Form receipt and required vaccination and veterinary documents.

Additional requirements may apply depending on where the dog has been in the last 6 months and whether or not the dog was vaccinated in the United States.

Use CDC’s Q&A tool (the CDC “DogBot”) to determine what rules apply to your dog: https://bit.ly/2rww2bq

10/05/2024

Ken Ramirez - it goes without saying if you know this renowned trainer, but let me reiterate - Ken Ramirez is a “Consent based” Trainer. Put simply, he too follows our motto here at Chien ZEN Dog “Listening to the Whispers” 😊🐾❤️

09/05/2024

🖍️🔆NEW SERVICE DOG COLORING BOOK!🔆🖍️🐕‍🦺🦮
“Unleash the power of creativity and awareness with our one-of-a-kind coloring book, designed by a certified service dog trainer. This extraordinary book turns service dogs into superheroes, celebrating their incredible abilities and the vital roles they play in the lives of their human companions. Each page is a vibrant invitation to explore the heroic world of service dogs through engaging, comic book-style artwork accompanied by fun, colorable backgrounds that spark the imagination.”

Canine Super Heroes: A Service Dog Superhero Coloring Adventure: A Dog Coloring Book for Dogs and Kids

02/05/2024

Visit my page Dog Things to Consider—Parenting Your Canine Child for more tips!

💭🤔Have you ever taken a moment to consider both yours and your Dog’s strengths and weaknesses? Understanding both your own, and your dogs toolboxes can mak...

25/04/2024

Always a good reminder to talk about stress symptoms and what you can do to help.

24/04/2024

For questions about service dogs, please contact the CAPDT at [email protected].

02/04/2024

A big congratulations to Catherine and Frankie for successfully completing their Canadian Association of Service Dog Trainers (CASDT), Interim Benchmark Service Dog Certification Test with Citadel Canine Society Ottawa Chapter Hard work certainly pays off! Way to go, Team! 🌟👏 www.casdt.ca

01/04/2024

Service dog training with Jasper, the golden doodle, and his teenage human boy.

31/03/2024

🐶New Puppy Bootcamper!!! Introducing….🥁……. MIRA!